Fantastic boutique theatre in Chicago. I caught a couple plays before the COVID shutdown and was very impressed. One play was straight up horror and was genuinely scary at times. Another play was depicting an authoritarian dystopia that included founding member Michael Shannon in a cameo role. Powerfully done and sadly very timely given our current descent into Fascism. read more

Really bad seats for non-subscribers - Unless you're paying a monthly subscription, you're gonna get really crappy seats. Apparently they have this policy where they reserve all the best seats for paying subscribers. So if you're just a "regular" paying customer, you'll get to see the actors' backs for 90% of the time. This policy is not stated anywhere on the website (nor do they have a seating plan available) - when I talked to the theatre manager (Abigail) about this, she chose to ignore the question about why they don't disclose this policy *before* you purchase the tickets. read more

In the 6 years i have lived down the street, I am embarrassed to say I finally got to check out this theater. Tthe space is very intimate from the stadium seating to the "stage" which is just on the main level as some seating.given the size/space of the stage, your view from the seat may be obstructed as you may be seeing the actors backs and sides more. the set was amazing and impressive in what it can offer. The transformation is part of the experience. i think i was more engrossed in the staging than the play at some parts. read more

Wicked good theater. I saw Fulfillment Center this past weekend and was blown away by the intimacy and suspension of belief that I experienced in such a small space. Despite minimal sets and props, I felt totally immersed in the 90-minute show. Lighting design depicted everything from a sunny window to a buzzing factory... all the way to the minimal light of a car interior at night. Sound design was ANNOYING in the best way, with tense clicking sounds for some scenes and aggressive alarms inside the fulfillment center itself. Music before, during, and after the show was spot-on. I saw shocking, personal, and familiar pieces of myself in each of the characters, but my favorite character was the older woman who depicted a down-on-her-luck hippie/bodyworker/estranged sister. I totally forgot she was playing a character until curtain call came and I was shaken out of my "theater trance." Overall, a phenomenal job by AROT. Can't wait to see what they create next. read more

I came to my first production after hearing so much about the company recently, and being attracted to their season of fun, cutting edge shows. Right on the main street of Old Town, this is a little treasure tucked back off the main street. A small very intimate space allows for a really intense theatrical experience, you feel like you are watching people in their living room! Pinter's the room was nicely claustrophobic and spooky in this setting. Subscriptions are affordable and they were very flexible in rearranging my night to see the play at the last minute, a worth investment! read more

8 years in Chicago, and only a couple of plays under my belt. Boo me. I'll even join the chorus (do I hear you Nick and Megan?!? yeah...I thought so) As a former amateur and theater-goer (back in my "golden" Parisian days when I was young and fabulous) I am having a hard time to believe myself. But now that my friend reviews plays and scores two free tickets every time she is "on duty" (such an awful job, isn't it?) AND that some of her closest friends are in the "show business" I have not even the shadow of an excuse to keep the lame-sauce going. Seeing "Becky Shaw" last night at A Red Orchid Theater was a perfect way to rekindle the theatrical spark since I almost had the best of both worlds: I was in the public and an stage at the same time. The room is small and intimate - under 100 seats - which makes for a great experience. The AC was blasting for good reasons (one of the actors has MS and needs to stay cool) but if you are planning to go and see this play - take a jacket, a scarf and ear muffs with you. Or not. But you'll be warned. As for the play itself - I couldn't have been happier. Wonderfully written, sarcastic and witty, a slice of modern life brilliantly captured, analyzed and portrayed by the very talented actors of the Red Orchid Ensemble (and some more) who ask poignant and eternal questions on love, lie, good and bad, reality and fiction without articulating definitive answers. A true pleasure. read more

Just saw the production "Not a Game for Boys," which was, as always very well done. The script is comic and tragic at the same time, the actors are great, the staging is clever. We've never been disappointed with a production at this intimate theater over the last 10 years we've been coming to see their shows. So if you like small theaters with slightly offbeat performances, you should check out A Red Orchid Theatre's productions sometime. read more

Yes yes yes and yes. I love this theater. Small, intimate; every seat in the house is great. It looks like the ensemble cast has been the same for years- the actors in the small number of shows I've been to have all been amazing. I first came for Michael Shannon- but I stayed for the other incredible cast members. The only thing I would say could improve the experience would be more bathrooms. There's only one women's rest room- which can be an annoying wait during intermission. read more

Unless you're prepared for an absurd, disconnected theatre experience, don't bother with this play. We adore Michael Shannon and have attended the Red Orchid for years with mostly positive experiences, but this play, while beautifully acted, was over the top ridiculous for five of us. I should have known the first five minutes when a woman sat knitting by a bathtub in total silence, and then joined by her husband who read the newspaper by that same tub in total silence. The lines to get in reflect Michael Shannon's presence and his gift of performance or directing at Red Orchid every couple of years. Are critics afraid to bum rap a play which contains actors and a director of such prominence? read more

OMG! What a performance by Michael Shannon in "Mistakes Were Made." This was my first time at A Red Orchid, and was impressed w/the intimacy of the theatre - not a bad seat in the house. Well worth the $15 preview admission. East access from the Brown line Segwick stop. Shannon pretty much does a one-man show as he talks to various people on the phone. His character changes among his callers (and his conversation w/a fish) Sorry about the cliche, but he does display a roller coaster of emotions. read more

Love this theater. It's a small venue with a big heart and great talent. I've seen a couple of shows here including Simpatico, and most recently, Accidentally Like A Martyr. It's a very intimate theater and no matter where you sit you are very close to the set, almost as if you're part of the action. I'm not sure who chooses the music for the productions but whoever it is they do a great job of choosing titles that paint an aural picture of the scene. For example, Simpatico began with a blaring Black Rebel Motorcycle Club's, Ain't No Easy Way Out. What a great opener that gave foresight into what was to come in the play. Accidentally Like a Martyr concluded beautifully with the Warren Zevon song of the same title. Tickets are currently well priced at around 35 bucks. It's well worth every penny to get some great live theatre and support the efforts of this ensemble. read more

Red Orchid is a fun, and strange little theater on north Ave. I usually like to go see muscials at some of the bigger venues in Chicago, but from time to time, I like to be entertained by local theater companies. Red Orchid is not expensive (about 10 dollars a ticket) and they usually put together some great shows. Last year, I went to go see Fat Boy, which ran for a very long time. It really does not matter where you sit because you will get a good view no matter where you are. If you are looking for really twisted, and strange plots, this theater won't dissapoint. read more

Came here to check out a play my friend was in, the Hothouse. I never heard of this theater until his invitation. Very small and intimate setting, my favorite type for a theater. The play was great although unfortunately I rolled in a tad late, the ticket box girl was very nice in escorting us in. read more

I like the intimate atmosphere and would definitely return. It's a good theater to go to if you like a more laid-back atmosphere and want to enjoy the actual production without a bunch of fancy flash. read more

We saw "Trevor" here on Saturday. It's an extremely small venue and we were seated on the stage within inches of the action. A great place to see live theater! read more

it's so much fun to see a show here. The actors are excellent. You have to keep reminding yourself that it's not real. We saw Trevor last week and Simpatico earlier this year. It's amazing what they do at this little storefront theatre. read more

I've had very mixed results in the times I've been to this theatre. The theatre itself is a little bit cramped, and in the winter it can be BRUTALLY cold in there. In all fairness, I haven't been back in a few years so they might have fixed the comfort issue. The plays are usually pretty edgy, and as I mentioned, hit-and-miss. read more

I think I've seen more AROT shows than any other single theatre company in Chicago, and they never disappoint. The ensembles are skilled and committed, the venue is intimate and surprisingly versatile, and the location offers a lot of pre-and-post-show options for dinner and drinks. They could, however, use more restroom facilities. I imagine they are hampered from providing more due to the extremely old building they're in, and they'd probably love to do something about it if they could. read more

Went to see the preview of Ecstasy. The theater is tiny, intimate and interesting. The actors were mostly excellent, except it was very hard to understand some of them with fake dialects. The play was so slow and boring. It was mostly watching 4 people try to have a good time (which they never did), smoke and get drunk. The 2nd act of 85 minutes seemed like it would never end - nothing ever happened and there were about 5 minutes of anything interesting. I would give Red Orchid another chance because of the venue and the actors, but this story is awful. read more

Awesome venue. We saw accidentally like a martyr and you felt you were in the bar with the actors. Berry smart and funny show with some great twists and turns. Doug Vickers and Troy West are worth the price of admission alone. read more

Amazing place to see a show! We saw Simpatico with Michael Shannon and were blown away! We will be coming here for years to come. When I say this place is small, I'm not even doing it justice. You're talking like 60 people, max. You can just feel the intensity. Great stuff! read more